ATHLETICS

DISTANCE runners Curtis Cox repeated as champion of the 10K in the Guardian Group SHINE Charity Run/Walk event on Saturday evening while Samantha Shukla did the same in the women’s category in the 5k.

The action in the third edition of the event unfolded at the Nelson Mandela Park in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, where the races started and ended.

Cox continues his amazing career adding another title, winning in a time of 35 minutes and 18 seconds, ahead of inaugural winner T&T-based Guyanese Kelvin Johnson, who was second in 35.28. Third was Ted John in 37.35.

Winning the women’s race was Celine Lestrade in 44.04. Chantel Le Maitre was second in 46.25 and Gina Hart (47.50) was third. Last year’s winner Tonya Nero did not compete.

Matthew Hagley, who was runner-up in the 10K last year, clocked 15.50 to win the 5K beating George Smith (16.23) and Lionel D’andrade (16.47) into second and third, respectively.

Shukla regained her women’s 5k after crossing in 18.34. She beat Nicol Khelawan (20.52) and Rachel Grosberg (21.40), to the line.

The event, which is called SHINE, an acronym for “Securing Hope for Those In Need” is geared towards raising funds to secure hope for those in need. All of the proceeds from the event will go towards different charities.

The charities to benefit from this year’s race proceeds are: in Trinidad, Just Because Foundation, Rainbow Rescue, Jaya Lakshmi, Mayor’s Children Fund, Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery, Express Children’s Fund, PlayAble Caribbean and Bridge of Hope and in Tobago, Healing with Horses and Sylphil House of Love. The event had some 5,000 participants that took part in running and walking for a good cause for the festive season. — Reporting Rachael King